Nectarine tree

ABSTRACT

A nectarine tree, generally similar to the Fantasia Nectarine Tree (unpatented), which bears yellow fleshed, freestone fruit from fourteen to nineteen days earlier than the Fantasia when grown under the same conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarinetree which is generally similar in tree and fruit to the FantasiaNectarine Tree (unpatented), the variety of which it is a sport, butwhich bears fruit which ripens 14 to 19 days earlier than the Fantasia.

The Fantasia Nectarine Tree, developed by the U.S. Department ofAgriculture, is well known as a vigorous and productive bearer of yellowfleshed freestone nectarines which are highly colored and of goodquality. However, the competition in fresh fruits is acute with widefluctuations in the market price over a short period under the influenceof supply and demand. Thus, the production of high quality fruit whenthere is little or no competition can be highly profitable, and there isa constant search for sports or mutations which produce high qualityfruit earlier or later than other varieties which produce otherwisesimilar fruit.

ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

My new variety of nectarine tree was discovered by me in June, 1975 as asport growing in an orchard of Fantasia Nectarine Trees (unpatented) ona ranch which I was and am farming and of which I own an undividedfractional interest. Said ranch is located at the Southeast corner ofFrankwood and Sumner Avenues near the City of Reedley, in the County ofFresno, in the State of Calif. Buds from the sport were budded by me ona ranch across the streeet from the ranch where the sport was discoveredinto Fantasia Nectarine Trees and into Charlie T. Nectarine Trees (a newvariety as yet unpatented).

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The instant variety of nectarine tree is characterized by perpetuatingthe general characteristics of the Fantasia Nectarine Tree, but has theimportant distinction of ripening from 14 to 19 days earlier. The newnectarine tree is of vigorous growth bearing fruit of large size andgenerally ovate form having a brilliant yellow (2.5 Y 9/9) backgroundwhich is mottled to almost solid with moderate (2.5 R 4/10) to dark (2.5R 3/7) red. The fruit is freestone and has yellow, firm textured flesh.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing is a color photograph of four mature fruits ofthe subject variety, with two of the fruits divided on the suture planeto show the flesh color and the stone, together with a representativetwig showing characteristic leaves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observedunder the ecological conditions prevailing in the designated orchardsnear Reedley, Calif. All major color code plate identifications are byreference to the Nickerson Color Fan of the American HorticulturalCouncil.

TREE

Size: Large.

Vigor: Vigorous.

Figure: Controlled by pruning.

Productivity: Excellent.

Bearing: Regular.

Trunk: Large, smooth and glossy surface.

Branches: Large, smooth surface.

Leaves:

Size.--Large.

Length.--175 mm. average.

Width.--45 mm. average.

Shape.--Lanceolate, apex acuminate.

Color.--Underside moderate yellow green (5 GY 5/6), upperside moderateolive green (5 GY 4/3).

marginal form.--Serrate.

Petiole.--Length 12 mm., thickness 2 mm.

Glandular characteristics.--One to six, irregularly arranged on petioleand base of leaf, reniform.

Flowers:

Dates of bloom.--March 10 to March 20.

Size.--Normal for nectarine.

Color.--Pink.

FRUIT

Maturity: Fourteen to 19 days before Fantasia.

Size: Large and fairly uniform.

Axial diameter.--65 mm.

Transverse in suture plane.--58 mm.

Transverse at right angles to suture plane.--59 mm.

Form: Generally ovate, but irregular and asymetric.

Suture.--Ventral side -- Pronounced with yellow line from apex to stem.Dorsal side -- Slight, from apex halfway to edge of stem cavity.

Ventral surface.--Lips unequal.

Stem cavity.--Rounded, 20 mm. diameter, 11 mm. deep.

Pistil point.--Usually moderate, but varies from missing to pronounced.

Skin:

Thickness.--Normal.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Color.--Background brilliant yellow (2.5 Y 9/9) mottled to almost solidwith red between moderate (2.5 R 4/10) to dark (2.5 R 3/7); pit well:brilliant yellow (2.5 Y 9/9).

pubescence.--None.

Flesh:

Color.--Brilliant yellow (2.5 Y 9/9) to moderate orange yellow (10 YR8/10), lighter around pit cavity with definite lighter streak from pitextending toward suture; surface of pit cavity: strong yellowish pink (5R 7/9).

flavor.--Good balance between acid and sweet.

Aroma.--Pronounced.

Texture.--Firm and smooth.

Stone:

Type.--Freestone.

Size.--Length 35 mm., width 25 mm.

Form.--Oval, apex acuminate.

Ventral edge.--No wing, medium thickness.

Dorsal edge.--No wing, groove shallow base to center, or missing.

Color.--Strong red (5 R 4/12) to dark red (5 R 3/7).

Use: Fresh.

Keeping quality: Excellent.

Shipping quality: Excellent.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics as a result of the growing conditions in Fresno County,Calif., in the central portion of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to beunderstood that variations of the usual magnitude in characteristicsincident to growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, and pest controlare to be expected.

Having thus described and illustrated my new variety of nectarine tree,what is new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:
 1. A new anddistinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially as illustrated anddescribed, characterized by its vigorous growth; its bearing of large,freestone, yellow fleshed fruit; and by its general resemblance to theFantasia (unpatented) Nectarine Tree, but from which it is distinguishedby its fruit ripening from 14 to 19 days earlier.